Workshop set on Lake Station senior center

Worried over the cost of a new senior center, the city council in Lake Station is holding a workshop meeting at 6 p.m. Wednesday to air concerns and listen to citizens. The meeting will be at city hall.

At its meeting Dec. 13, several council members voiced support for the new senior center, but said the city needs to trim costs.

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“We do have time to figure out a solution,” said Mayor Christopher Anderson, who added the senior center bids came in higher than expected. “We need a fire station and other things. They’re all tough choices.”

Councilman Neal Anderson, D-At large, said he toured the now-closed senior center at 2900 Benton St., near Columbus Park, and said it was in bad shape. “Something should have been done with it a long time ago,” he said.

Councilman Fred Williams, D-3rd, said he spent about 15 minutes inside the center and his eyes were burning. “We will address this,” he said.

On Dec. 4, the Board of Public Works awarded a $320,578 contract to Larson-Danielson Construction to demolish the old, dilapidated center and build a new one.

The award, however, was contingent on the council appropriating the money for the building. The price seemed to be too much for the council.

“Seniors need a place, they’ve been here for years and they’ve paid their taxes,” said Pam Shaffner.

Conditions at the center have deteriorated and attendance has been down in recent years as the city struggles through a financial crisis. Recently, mold was detected at the center and it was shut down.

Meanwhile, seniors have been attending programs at Riverview Park, but most said they would prefer a designated site.